LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Despite scoring a trio of seventh-inning runs, Utah Valley University's comeback attempt fell short in an 8-5 setback to defending Western Athletic Conference champion New Mexico State in both team's 2017 WAC opener at the NM State Softball Complex in Las Cruces on Friday night.
UVU drops to 8-13 overall and 0-1 in WAC play with the loss, while the Aggies improve to 13-16 on the season and 1-0 in conference play.
"This team continues to impress me every time we take the field. They play fearlessly with passion and heart – they believe in themselves and each other," said UVU head coach
TJ Hubbard. "Each one of these kids is committed to make this program better and their contributions are evident with every game we play."
The Wolverines struck first in the ballgame with a pair of second-inning runs to take a 2-0 lead.
Taleigh Williams drove in the first run of the frame on an RBI single through the right side of the infield and later came around to score on a wild pitch to give UVU the early advantage. The Aggies then quickly countered back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning to tie the score at 2-2.
NM State then scored three more runs in the third and trio more in the fourth to take an 8-2 advantage. NMSU's Nikki Butler drove in three of the six runs herself, with an RBI single in the third and a two-run double in the fourth to give the Aggies the six-run lead.
The Aggies held onto their lead until the seventh when UVU managed to drive home three late runs to make things interesting. Following a
Kirsten Andersen walk and
Courtney Beavers reaching base on an error,
Caragh Morris drove in Utah Valley's first run of the final frame with an RBI single up the middle. The WAC's RBI leader
Brittney Vansway then promptly followed with an RBI single of her own to make it an 8-4 game. Freshman
Lyndsay Steverson then capped UVU's scoring with an RBI single through the left side before
Basia Query flied out to end the ballgame.
The reigning WAC Pitcher of the Week
Lauren Frailey (5-4) suffered the loss for Utah Valley while NM State's Kayla Green (8-9) went the distance to earn the win for the Aggies.
Morris, Vansway and
Taylor Miller led the Wolverines at the plate by each recording two apiece. Both Morris and Vansway finished 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Miller went 2-for-3.
Preseason WAC Player of the Year selection Kelsey Horton paced the Aggies by going a perfect 4-for-4 with three runs scored in the contest.
The series will conclude on Saturday with a late afternoon twin bill. Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for 4 p.m. MT, while game two will follow around 6 p.m. MT.
"Regardless of the situation, this team never gives in or gives up. They give it all they have on every pitch," Hubbard added. "I am very proud of the players, teammates and people they have become – don't ever count this group out. They give everything they have – right down to the last pitch."
